Director – North East Transition

Job title: Director – North East Transition
Team: Energy Transition and International
Location: Aberdeen
Salary: £98,321 (increasing to £101,763 from 1 April)
Hours: Full-time, with flexible working options considered
Status: Temporary – 18-month fixed term
Vacancy ref: R00697
Closing date: 4 March 2026

Be part of building Scotland’s future

At Scottish Enterprise, we back Scotland’s most ambitious companies to innovate, scale, and internationalise to transform the economy. 

The next decade brings both major challenges and extraordinary opportunities. To meet them, we’ve focused on three bold missions:

• Building a globally competitive energy transition industry
• Scaling Scotland’s innovation strengths into the high-growth sectors of the future
• Unlocking capital investment to boost productivity and create high-value jobs

As Scotland’s national economic development agency – and a key delivery partner for the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation – we play a central role in turning these missions into real outcomes for Scotland’s businesses and communities.

This role is an opportunity to lead the north-east’s economic transition, shaping a high-impact programme that accelerates investment, innovation and growth. 

In this role, you’ll deliver and drive measurable economic outcomes – boosting productivity, supporting high-value jobs, and strengthening Scotland’s long-term competitiveness.

The role

As Director for the North East Transition, you’ll shape a high-profile regional transformation, lead a large multidisciplinary team, influence national economic priorities, and drive real-world impact – boosting investment, innovation, and jobs. 

You’ll provide strategic leadership, partner with senior stakeholders to deliver results, and work with significant autonomy.

Responsibilities 

Your responsibilities will include:

• Setting the strategic direction and driving high-impact projects that boost investment, innovation, and productivity to lead the region’s economic transition
• Building influential partnerships across industry, academia, and government to unlock barriers, align priorities, and attract significant capital investment
• Leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver measurable economic outcomes, ensuring strong performance, governance, and impact

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone with the strategic insight and economic development expertise to lead a complex regional transition and deliver measurable impact.

You’ll have experience influencing senior stakeholders, shaping large-scale programmes, and driving outcomes across investment, innovation, and industry transition.

You’ll thrive in ambiguous, fast-moving environments, using your strengths in collaboration and problem solving to motivate teams, build influential partnerships, and deliver economic impact.

Your skills and experience should include:

• Demonstrated experience delivering measurable economic impact through strategic leadership, industry engagement, or regional development
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and driving performance across complex programmes of work
• The ability to influence senior partners across industry, academia, and government to shape and unlock economic opportunities
• Strong knowledge of the north-east’s economic landscape, including transition challenges and sector opportunities

Role profile

Further information on the role can be found in the attached role profile.

Life at Scottish Enterprise

As one of Scotland’s Top 10 Flexible Employers, we pride ourselves on empowering our colleagues to work when and where they can best deliver their role in support of our corporate plan. Learn more about working with us.

How to apply

If you're interested in this role, complete and submit your application by 4 March 2026.

Interview dates

To be confirmed.

Our values

Being part of Scottish Enterprise means being open to new ideas and trying different ways of working. We support each other to reach our full potential. We celebrate shared success and learn together when things don’t go so well. And we always treat each other fairly, with respect and understanding. Together, we are the difference.

At Scottish Enterprise, we’re proud to celebrate difference. Diversity of experience and thought is vital to the success of our vision for the future of every community across Scotland. As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from a wide range of individuals, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, gender identity and expression, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We commit to providing any reasonable adjustments required, not only during the application and assessment process but throughout your employment with us.

We have the following networks which are open to all colleagues to help drive inclusion: Disability Positive, Gender Balanced, Multi-Cultural, Multi-Generational and Pride (LGBTQ+).

Apply now to build your future with us.